2024 Ford Ranger
Ford’s leadership in the pickup truck segment continues to be dominant. The F-Series has been a national sales leader for 48 years. They also have the leading compact pickup truck in the U.S.A.
The Ford Ranger adds to the pickup truck lineup with its own set of skills. It competes in the midsize segment, which has become extremely competitive of late. Not only has their size increased over the past several years – as well as their prices – but, their capabilities and abilities are encroaching on half-ton full-size territory.
Recently, the Ranger underwent a mid-cycle refresh that puts it in line with the rest of the Ford pickup truck lineup. An update that began elsewhere around the world prior to its unveiling in this country. After all, the Ranger is Ford’s global pickup truck product.
We’re happy to report that there’s no loss in translation – so far.
Our 2024 Ranger Lariat arrived in a SuperCrew four-door cab with a five-foot box and four-wheel drive. The revision included a front end that emulates the F-150 and Super Duty. The rest of the Ranger has been mostly untouched. This is fine, since the Ranger is now more distinctive in its class.
The Lariat we received had 18-inch chromed wheels, a bedliner, and running boards creating a nice-looking and functional exterior made for work and play.
Ford went deeper into their update with a new dashboard design. A fully digital instrument cluster seen on other Ford vehicles offer some customization, but it is clear to view. Also new is a 12-inch center infotainment touchscreen, powered by SYNC 4. Its portrait orientation is clear and easy to use. Tactile controls are available for climate and audio controls, as well as throughout the cabin. That includes a new style shifter for the transmission.
Inside, the Ranger Lariat tester offers good comfort for up to five people in the four-door SuperCrew. Leather upholstery covers the seats in both rows. In all, we found that headroom was superb for taller drivers and rear seat passengers. Rear seat legroom was also fine.
Underneath the Ranger’s hood is the standard 270-horsepower 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, also putting down 310 pound-feet of torque. It is a robust engine that delivers when you depress the accelerator. Our tester had the four-wheel drive system channeled through a ten-speed automatic transmission using a two-speed transfer case to send power to all four wheels.
In this configuration, the Ranger with the 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine can tow up to 7.500 pounds, while carrying 1,711 pounds of payload. For fuel economy, the Environmental Protection Agency rated this driveline at 20 MPG in the city, 24 MPG on the highway.
The ride quality was quite livable. No drama, just an absorbent ride that you expect in a vehicle of its size class. Handling-wise, there is a bit of roll and lean through the turns at speed. However, it does maneuver around hazards quite nimbly.
We found the turning radius to be fine. On-center feel is fine, as well as overall response. Braking was also fine, with a solid pedal feel. We experienced decent stops in normal and panic situations.
The 2024 Ford Ranger lineup offers four trim levels, along with final drive options and engines. Pricing starts at $32,820. Our 4X4 Lariat SuperCrew tester came with a sticker price of $51,605.
Among mid-size pickup trucks, the Ford Ranger competes well with its rivals, even though a couple of them have V6 engines standard, instead of a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Those rivals include the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, and Honda Ridgeline.
Because of many factors, mid-size pickup trucks are becoming more attractive to many consumers. The Ford Ranger offers a choice that retain the brand’s loyalists while attracting new consumers. You can thank the recent update on this pickup for making things more attractive.
Credits: CarSoup Editors
